This might be the position in football where individual skill goes the farthest. Even playing for a dud of a team, Asomugha still does what he does. Darrelle Revis is a big reason the Jets are blitzing so often and so successfully. Terence Newman, when healthy, fixes a lot of the problems in Dallas' secondary. Even specimens like Andre Johnson struggle to do anything against the lockdown corner. In today's game, shutting down an elite wideout can be a huge difference as only a few teams (Arizona) have the depth at wideout to prevent their QB from getting pressured all day. So why is it that each year, cornerbacks are generally drafted lower and in fewer numbers compared to wideouts, who arguably have less impact? In 2009, Miami drafted two corners, Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, in the first two rounds but this is a rarity. I haven't done any statistical analysis, so my observation could be off, but regardless, someone please explain?
Thought experiment: what is A) easier to pull off and B) more effective: a team with four of Darrelle Revis or a team with four of Calvin Johnson?
ReplyDeleteI hope the we add Sean Smith or Vontae Davis to that list soon.
ReplyDeleteLike stalwart DT's, shutdown corners are difficult to find. There just are not that many human beings on the planet with the physical and mental capabilities required to do either at an elite level.
So the question becomes: who has a higher floor, a WR or a CB?